Unvergesslich ist der Blick vom Außenpool im Südtiroler Naturhotel Leitlhof auf die Haunoldgruppe. Foto: Bureau Rabensteiner
It all started with the energy bill for the new outdoor pool being too high. “At the time, that was not sustainable for a hotel of our size,” says Stephan Mühlmann. So the current manager of the Naturhotel Leitlhof in San Candido planned something that had never been done before in Europe. On his own initiative and without any technical training, Stephan Mühlmann developed and built a wood-fired combined heat and power plant that would exclusively supply the hotel. “I was often close to despair,” the 33-year-old recalls of the initial phase. But the more intensively he dealt with the topic of energy, the more he was driven by the ambition to use it optimally and, above all, to save it. And with success: the four-star superior hotel is now not only climate-neutral, but even climate-positive. This is one of the reasons why the Leitlhof will receive the World Travel Award in the “Europe’s Leading Green Hotel” category for the fifth time since 2016 in 2024. “This ‘Oscar of the travel industry’ is both recognition and an incentive for me. Because I know that there is still a lot to do,” says the Managing Director. “Our goal is to continue to find innovative ways to treat our environment in an even more resource-friendly way.” The London-based media company World Travel Awards Ltd. has been awarding this prestigious recognition for over 30 years, guaranteeing the highest quality. The international jury is made up of tourism experts and specialists.
In a nutshell: the highlights
* Four-star superior hotel in San Candido/South Tyrol with a view of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site * Energy self-sufficient and one of only a few climate-positive hotels worldwide (certified since 2012) * 2016, 2021, 2022 and 2023: World Travel Award in the “Europe’s Leading Green Hotel” category * Located in Alta Pusteria with the “Three Peaks” and “Fanes-Sennes-Braies” nature parks * 62 rooms, including 17 suites and four single rooms * Wellness area (3,000 m²) including panoramic indoor pool, indoor and outdoor pool * Mainly Alpine spa and beauty treatments Mediterranean and South Tyrolean specialties made from local produce or from the hotel’s own garden * Angus cattle breeding on the hotel’s own mill farm
Where: Naturhotel Leitlhof, Pustertaler Str. 29, 39038 San Candido, Italy, www.leitlhof.com
Charging: a total of 7 charging stations, 4 for Tesla and 3 universal chargers
